Recent Shows

As a very casual listener of Above & Beyond, I went to go see their tour at Budweiser Stage. I was able to upgrade the tickets to be closer because everything I’ve seen about this tour and their shows is that the visuals make the show. This was very true. I think these were some of the coolest visuals I’ve ever seen. I’m not sure if they were AI generated, but they were super trippy and immersive and made the whole show feel like you were sucked into their own world. It was almost hypnotic.

The show started off on a really strong high. The mixing was great and the song choices worked really well. I did find that starting off really hard and then quickly dropping into something mellow became a bit of a recurring theme during the second half of the set. I think they could have either kept the hard tracks more grouped together or worked on smoother transitions between the changes. Despite that, the visuals were so incredible that they carried the whole show for me.

They also seem to have a really genuine and dedicated fan base. It was cool to see a few fans invited up on stage to queue up and press the button together for one of the big drops. That was a really nice moment and added to the sense of community at the show. Overall a 4/5

I went to see Oasis on their reunion tour. This iconic band touring again after nearly 18 years had the whole city buzzing with excitement and the anticipation building for their two stadium shows. After seeing countless videos of their first leg of the tour in the UK and the insane energy in those crowds, I was extremely excited to finally experience it for myself.

We started the night with Cage the Elephant, which is one of my favourite bands. They put on a great set and it was an awesome way to kick off the night, although it definitely felt different seeing them in such a massive space compared to the smaller venues I am used to.

Then Oasis came out and they played hard. From start to finish the energy and passion were clear. The crowd even did the classic move of turning their backs to the stage and jumping, and feeling the stands actually shaking during that was unreal. It is so good to see the Gallagher brothers finally touring together again after so long, and they genuinely seemed to be enjoying it. They delivered the classics along with deep cuts, and there was never a dull moment.

The energy stayed so positive the whole night, and people are still buzzing about it for days after. Overall a 5/5

A band I have wanted to see for a while is LCD Soundsystem, and I finally got the chance to catch them at one of their smaller venue shows at History. The place was packed for the first of three sold out nights.

The band was incredible. The synths sounded amazing and the energy from the crowd was phenomenal, with almost no drop offs during the nearly 2.5 hour set. Despite James Murphy, the lead singer, having some respiratory issues and coughing between songs, he still sounded great and kept up the entire time. I really respect that kind of effort when artists push through and still deliver instead of giving a halfhearted performance. I have recently been getting into The Dare, and seeing LCD live made it even clearer how much they have influenced him creatively.

My only criticism, and it feels odd to say, is that the venue and stage seemed too small. With the amount of equipment and members on stage, there was hardly any room to move. James Murphy was mostly confined to one spot and did not move much simply because there was nowhere to go. Even so, I appreciated the chance to see them in such an intimate setting, which made the performance feel even more special. Overall a 4.8/5.

I scored a ticket for The Jonas Brothers during the Ticket to Summer promo, mostly going for the opener Marshmello but also to see the brothers since I thought it would be a fun show. I was very surprised at how energetic they were and how the crowd, even way up in the 500s at Rogers Centre, stayed on their feet dancing for the entire 2 hour and 15 minute set. That’s not easy to pull off, especially in a venue that big. They also brought out some cool guests like Alessia Cara and JP Saxe for duets, and even gave them time to perform their own songs which was a nice way to spotlight local artists.

Now for the odd part: based on the tour poster, it looked like Marshmello was supposed to be the opener. The venue never posted set times, so I went early expecting him to play before the brothers but he didn’t. Instead, he came out for about 20 minutes in the middle of their set. It was fun with lasers, fire, and heavy drops, but it also felt a bit disconnected and I really wish he had his own slot beforehand. I was also expecting the light-up bracelets that they’ve used for other stadium shows, but for some reason Toronto didn’t get them. Those bracelets make stadium shows feel more immersive and connect everyone to the performance. Even with those small letdowns, I definitely didn’t leave disappointed. I was impressed by the energy and the show The Jonas Brothers delivered. Overall a 4/5.

Another EDM bucket list artist for me was Chase & Status. This iconic DnB duo is known for delivering high energy shows packed with UK beats and massive drops, and they definitely lived up to the hype. Their set was wild, energetic, and interactive, keeping the crowd moving the entire time.I do wish they played Baddadan a few more times since that pre-drop part is legendary and always makes the crowd go nuts. Still, it was everything I wanted from finally seeing them live. Overall a 4.5/5.

One of my bucket list EDM artists recently was Mau P. I got to see him play Electric Island at Woodbine Park and he absolutely killed it. It was exactly what I was expecting from his set, with hard beats and fun drops that kept the crowd moving the entire night. There wasn’t a dull moment and every track hit with the kind of energy you want from a headliner.

This was one of the sets that had the most packed main stage I’ve seen, and you could tell he knew how to keep everyone engaged, never letting the energy dip even for a second. For me, it really lived up to the hype I had built up and is a 4.5/5.

This was a super fun industrial and house set. I didn’t know Joris Voorn before coming to this weekend’s festival, but he definitely checks two of my favourite types of EDM, house and techno, and blends them really well. The pacing of his set was strong and the transitions kept everything flowing without losing momentum. The crowd seemed locked in the whole time which made it even better. He was a great discovery for me this weekend and I’ll definitely be checking him out more. Overall a 4.5/5.

After seeing videos of Yung Singh’s 2022 Boiler Room set, I knew the energy was crazy and loved the way he bent and blended genres. Seeing him live really confirmed that. He switched seamlessly between UK garage, drum and bass, and house. The drops hit hard, the transitions were clean, and it never felt predictable because he kept pulling in unexpected tracks that worked perfectly together.

The only downside was that he seemed to run a bit late, or maybe the set before him went long, so his set ended up being cut short. Even so, it was a very cool and dynamic DJ set. Overall a 4/5.

I saw Tinzo and Jojo play the Electric Island main stage. It was a really fun, slow but still groovy and hypnotic set with some remixes of indie classics. It was the kind of set where you could just get lost in the flow without ever feeling bored. The crowd seemed fully engaged and it created the perfect atmosphere for that time of day, a perfect summer daytime set on a hot August day, not too heavy but still keeping everyone moving. Overall a 4.5/5.

I scored last minute pretty inexpensive box seats for Katy Perry on her Lifetimes Tour. I came in with no expectations. I have heard mixed things about this show on TikTok. I mostly wanted just to see this iconic artist who was a big part of my childhood and have a fun night out. Starting off the night was Rebecca Black who was really awesome and played a really cool hyper pop set. She’s definitely moved on from the Friday meme and just embraces it. I think she’s a very talented DJ and hyper pop artist and I hope she goes places. Katy Perry came on in her space themed set. She came into the arena flying into this orb and opened the set in the sky which was one hell of an entrance.

She performed really well, sounded amazing, and honestly felt like she was actually singing live and not lip-synching which I was very pleasantly surprised by. The production was absolutely next level. It felt like she was never really on the ground. She played countless classics and her bangers from Teenage Dream which was a childhood staple for me. The choreography was sharp and the dancers around her really brought the whole thing to life. The stage was massive and super well designed. Even people way up in the nosebleeds got their moment because she did a fly around on that giant butterfly and made the whole arena feel included.

Overall it was way better than I expected. It was playful, over the top, and just pure pop spectacle. Definitely one of those bucket-list shows I’m glad I went to. I’d give it a solid 5/5.

I saw The Weeknd on his After Hours Til Dawn hometown stop twice. I’ve seen him a few times now and he is always a performer who puts on an insane show with incredible production, but this tour took it to a whole new level. The stage stretched across the entire stadium floor, with a massive immersive screen and branded light-up bracelets for everyone that synced to the show. Toronto and Montreal also got to see Kaytranada open, which made it even better since he is one of my favourite EDM artists right now.

I did see The Weeknd in 2022 on this tour and thought the production was amazing then, but this version was on a completely different level. The bracelets were used throughout the whole show, the catwalk stretched across the stadium and to the sides, and the setlist was longer with deep cuts from his massive discography. It really felt like he put so much effort into creating the perfect set. He played songs he didn’t include last tour, and I was thrilled to hear some older classics, though I still wanted even more. He gives it his all every time he performs, and I’ve felt that whether I was front row or way up in the back.

I truly hope he tours as The Weeknd again because I will 100 percent be there. This was a perfect stadium show and one of the best shows I’ve ever seen this year. Overall a 5/5.

One of my all time favourite EDM groups is RÜFÜS DU SOL and I always see them every tour, never leaving disappointed. They put on one of the best live EDM sets you can see, with live vocals, guitar, drums, and mixing. The last time I saw them was on their Surrender tour, a show I loved so much I went twice. Both nights were incredible.

I do feel like the set design was a bit stronger last time since the production overall was bigger. The massive screen and the light up stands for each member, with their own visuals and lighting, made it feel more immersive. This tour felt a little more stripped down with fewer visuals and mostly just cool lighting. I really enjoyed the new album and the new songs came across great live, especially closing with Music is Better, which was the perfect way to end the night.

One thing I have noticed is the crowds they have been drawing are not as good as they used to be, with a lot of people on their phones recording the whole time. Even so, I still love them and was not disappointed because it was a good show and you can tell they love performing. I just hope next time they bring a bigger production, because for a band like this it feels expected. Overall a 4/5.

This was my fourth time seeing Tyler live and definitely not my last. The man is a true performer and really values his art. I saw the Chromakopia tour in Vancouver earlier this year and thought it was awesome. The aesthetic, the stage design, and Tyler’s energy were all amazing both then and now. I could tell he’s starting to get a bit tired from touring since he didn’t interact with the crowd as much this time. He also released his new album Don’t Tap The Glass the day before the Toronto show, and I was excited to hear some of it live, but he didn’t play any tracks from it.

Even though he seemed a little tired, he still brought plenty of energy and delivered an awesome set. I do think the Toronto crowd had way more energy than Vancouver, even in the stands where I was, which may be because people here had more time to live with Chromakopia. The set was a bit shorter than the Vancouver show, though it didn’t feel unreasonably short. Still, with such a strong discography, I always wish he would play more. Tyler is without a doubt one of the best live rap artists and a true showman, and I always recommend seeing him. Overall a 4.5/5.

I went to see BLACKPINK on night 2 of their Deadline Tour. They played the new Rogers Stadium at Downsview on the old YZD airport runway. I think it’s a cool venue that feels more like a festival atmosphere, but it’s really rough to get to, especially from the east end of the city. I’ve been a fan of theirs for a while and first saw them in 2019 at their second ever North American show, then again headlining Coachella 2023 which was definitely a peak performance. Since then they’ve all become successful solo artists, and it shows. The choreography wasn’t as sharp and on point as it once was, though their solo sets were strong. Some members were clearly lip syncing which I don’t mind in small parts of a show, but it happened too often and was distracting.

I also felt the crowd energy and production were not as strong as they could have been. From my spot in the rear grandstands, most people were seated for much of the show while other sections were standing and dancing. The fan bombs are a really cool piece of merch, but I was surprised they didn’t sync with the music the way Coldplay’s famous wristbands do. At Coachella 2023 they used light-up bracelets that matched the set which made the experience feel more polished and immersive. This time they just flashed on and off without much purpose. I didn’t have a bad time, but overall the show could have been better. I give it a 3.5/5.

One of the artists I’ve seen a few times now is Wiz Khalifa and he is always such a crowd pleaser. Every time I’ve seen him it’s been a fun show, and I like that he usually changes it up so no two sets feel the same. He also tends to bring cool guests on tour which keeps things interesting. Sean Paul was his co-headliner this time and he went on before Wiz. His set was fun because he has so many classic hits that everyone knows, but overall it felt a bit lacklustre and kind of basic. The energy stayed up because the songs are iconic, but I think most people were just waiting for Wiz to come on.

When Wiz came out, the crowd energy shifted. His show this time felt a lot more polished and refined compared to the last time I saw him, and he’s a genuinely strong live rapper which not every hip hop artist can pull off. The crowd definitely gave him more energy than Sean Paul got, and he fed off that the entire set. Overall it was a good night seeing two artists with huge catalogues full of hits, but Wiz definitely stole the night. Overall a 4.5/5.

I got last minute tickets to see City and Colour’s sold out Toronto show. The place was absolutely packed. Dallas Green played a solid and very long set that covered so much of his discography. He’s an incredible musician and super versatile, but the venue felt too big for this type of show given the lack of production. I think it would have worked much better in a space like Massey Hall, or even Echo Beach if it was open. Overall a 3.5/5.

Kendrick Lamar and SZA played two sold-out nights at the Rogers Centre. I initially got presale tickets for night two and ended up in the 500s because prices were insane. About a week before the show, I noticed they opened floors for only $25 more than what I paid, so I called to get upgraded. I’m really glad I did because the experience on the floor was amazing and felt like a completely different show compared to being in the 500s. I’ve seen both Kendrick and SZA separately before and they’re both incredible performers, so I was really excited to see them together. They started the show early with Kendrick opening the night, and each played about twenty minutes, with a few of their many collabs in between. I really loved when they performed 30 for 30, All the Stars, and Love. It was also nice to see them switch up the setlist, with Kendrick giving us N95, one of my favorites, and SZA playing Consideration, which I never expected to hear live.

While both of them brought the energy, production, and showmanship, I did feel like some of the crowd was only there for one or the other, which made the energy feel a bit off at times. That’s not their fault, but I think they both deserved 100 percent from the fans. Near the end of their set, Kendrick played Not Like Us, which felt extra special since he was in Drake’s hometown. People were so excited, screaming the lyrics, and he got a standing ovation with fans chanting one more time. The production for this tour was top-tier and clearly built for massive venues. There was a giant LED wall, a huge catwalk with smaller stages along it, and a moving screen that opened up. Being on the floor made the visuals super immersive. Both artists also had their own dance crews, which were incredibly well choreographed. Overall, it was an amazing show and great performances from both Kendrick and SZA. A solid 4.8/5.

This was my fourth time seeing Tyler live and definitely not my last. The man is a true performer and really values his art. I saw the Chromakopia tour in Vancouver earlier this year and thought it was awesome. The aesthetic, the stage design, and Tyler’s energy were all amazing both then and now. I could tell he’s starting to get a bit tired from touring since he didn’t interact with the crowd as much this time. He also released his new album Don’t Tap The Glass the day before the Toronto show, and I was excited to hear some of it live, but he didn’t play any tracks from it.

Even though he seemed a little tired, he still brought plenty of energy and delivered an awesome set. I do think the Toronto crowd had way more energy than Vancouver, even in the stands where I was, which may be because people here had more time to live with Chromakopia. The set was a bit shorter than the Vancouver show, though it didn’t feel unreasonably short. Still, with such a strong discography, I always wish he would play more. Tyler is without a doubt one of the best live rap artists and a true showman, and I always recommend seeing him. Overall a 4.5/5.

I saw Post Malone on his Big Ass Stadium Tour. We started the night off with Jelly Roll, who was amazing as usual. He’s always super soulful, motivational, and genuinely seems to love his job. Jelly Roll set the stage for the more country feel of this Post Malone tour and was a 10/10 choice as an opener. I got to see him at History last summer at his pop-up show, and that was incredible. It felt like such a privilege to see him in a small venue like that, and now seeing him at the stadium was a really cool feeling. Right after Jelly Roll ended, the roof started opening and the whole stadium knew we were in for an awesome night. Post Malone came on stage and played hit after hit after hit. This was the same set and a very similar setup to his Coachella headlining set, so I definitely had a taste of what to expect. This time we had a few more songs and some of my personal favourites added to the setlist like Hollywood’s Bleeding, Feeling Whitney, and Candy Paint, which were amazing to see live, especially with his touring band. Seeing Post Malone and Jelly Roll perform Losers together live was super fun. I saw them do it before and it was amazing then, and still just as good this time. Jelly Roll is such an incredible singer. This was my sixth time seeing Post Malone live. I’ve seen him from the front row to the very back of the venue, and no matter where you are, you’ll have a good time. Post Malone, Jelly Roll, a clear spring night, and a sold-out Skydome with the roof open. Being able to see the sky and the CN Tower while the music played made it feel perfect. Honestly, you couldn’t ask for a better night. Post Malone always gets a 5/5 from me.

Mochakk closed out the opening weekend of Electric Island. I was looking forward to his set since I’ve recently gotten into his music and liked what I had heard. His sound had a bit of a Brazilian feel and was more on the house side compared to a lot of the other artists that weekend. I saw the last hour of his set and thought it was a good balance of calm and dancey, with some harder moments too. It reminded me a bit of a Keinemusik set I saw recently, just more scaled back. Overall, it was a cool and low-key way to end the weekend. Overall a 4/5

Closing out the weekend with Enrico Sangiuliano and Mochakk with a split set. This one was on the second stage under the Bentway, which is my favourite stage at Fort York because it looks super cool and industrial with the lights and the concrete pillars. Enrico Sangiuliano’s set was pretty heavy and had a lot of hard-hitting, repeating beats. I usually enjoy some techno, but I found the long, continuous tracks lacked variety and spontaneity at times. I don’t know if I’m crazy, but something about the sound felt kind of Halloween-coded to me. That said, it was still fun and the crowd energy was great throughout. Overall, a 3/5.

I made it over to the Main Stage for the second half of Camelphat’s closing set, and the crowd was massive. Probably the biggest I’ve seen at that stage. I like a few of their tracks and was expecting something pretty chill, mellow, but still dancey. They delivered on that for the most part, but I was a little surprised by how straightforward the set felt. A lot of the songs, even the ones that weren’t theirs, didn’t seem to be remixed or reworked much, which made parts of it feel a bit low effort. That said, there were definitely some high points and a few dancey moments that really hit. I just found myself wishing they had added more of their own touch to it. Overall, a 3.5 out of 5.

Sammy Virji was the set of the whole festival I was most excited to see, and so was the crowd because he drew a massive, hyped-up audience for his set. I had just seen him a month before at the Do LaB at Coachella for his surprise Sammy Virji and Friends set, which was insane and probably one of the best, if not the best, Do LaB sets I’ve ever seen. The bar was set high for this one and he did not disappoint. He played his hard-hitting UK Garage stuff and threw in some amazing remixes that I wasn’t expecting to go as hard as they did. I see a very bright future for him and could honestly see him being the next Fred again.., especially at the rate he’s going. I think people would have been just as happy to see him close out with an extended set since the 90 minutes went by in the blink of an eye. Overall a 4.5 /5.

I only caught half of Sosa’s set and knew literally nothing about him going in. He played a solid, funky light techno set and I was very pleasantly surprised. There were some hard drops, and it was a really great way to start day two. He definitely seems like a crowd pleaser. He knew how to keep people moving without overdoing it. I’d be curious to catch a full set next time and I’m excited to dig deeper into his stuff. Overall, a strong 4/5.

I went into this set knowing absolutely nothing about Partiboi69, so I had no idea what to expect. Honestly, I was surprised by how much I liked it. It hit harder than I thought it would, but in a good way. The energy was high without feeling over the top. He played some great tracks, including a few Sammy Virji remixes that definitely got the crowd excited, especially with Sammy playing the next day. Even though I split my time between 45 minutes of Camelphat and 45 minutes of Partiboi, I still felt like I got the full experience. It was pure energy from start to finish. Overall, a solid set that caught me off guard in the best way 4/5.

This was opening weekend for Season 13 of Electric Island. First set of the night was Miss Monique, who played some of her signature melodic techno and delivered a hard-hitting 90-minute set. A friend recommended her to me and said her sets are hypnotic and really get you going, and he wasn’t wrong. There wasn’t a dull moment the entire time. Solid opener and a great way to kick things off. Overall, I’d give it a 4/5.

The last set of Coachella 2025 to close out the main stage was Post Malone. Post is the artist I’ve seen the most — this was my fifth time seeing him live — and he truly never disappoints. This time I camped out to be insanely close to the catwalk and managed to be second row, which made the whole set even more awesome. I saw him on his If Y’all Weren’t Here, I’d Be Crying tour in 2023, and that was the first time he toured with a live band, which I thought was great. He had a full band for his headlining set too, and it really added so much to the experience. At first, I wasn’t too keen on a lot of his new country stuff, but seeing and hearing it live completely changed my mind. I think with the live band, it worked super well. He also played so many of his classics but with new arrangements that honestly sounded amazing. During his set, he brought out Jelly Roll to play “Losers” together, which was a super sweet moment, and another massive surprise was Ed Sheeran coming out to do Swae Lee’s parts in “Sunflower” — such an awesome surprise. Post Malone is a true entertainer and knows exactly how to put on a show. I’ll always go see him whenever he tours, he’s definitely a crowd pleaser. The energy in the crowd was incredible, and overall it was an amazing way to end off a super memorable Coachella 2025. Easy 5/5.

Second last set of the festival was Megan Thee Stallion on the main stage. Hot off her first arena tour, I could definitely see how much her show changed since I saw her in 2022. She opened her set halfway through her song “Mamushi” as a joke because she got cut off halfway through the song during her weekend one set. She then disappeared and then did her proper cinematic entrance. That was super fun. I can definitely see how much her production grew this time; she has backup dancers and awesome choreography, which was a complete switch-up from her last set, in 2022, which was her and a DJ and maybe two dancers. Megan is always an amazing performer and really likes to get the crowd going. I do wish she played more of her known stuff, though. I did notice some cool Easter eggs in her set with dancers dressed in Big Foot costumes as a nod to her beef that she had with Nicki Minaj over the summer. Overall, a super fun set, and Megan always knows how to put on a good show. 4/5

First set at the Quasar this year. This b2b set was such an awesome add to the lineup. I really liked the new placement of the Quasar too, it feels like it has way more energy now since the crowd is a bit denser. This was an Alesso body hi set with Gorgon City, and they played some really great remixes of EDM classics. The visuals were on point too, with the adapting screens that changed as the sun set and the night got started. People were hyped up and dancing hard the whole time. I only stayed for a little over an hour of their three-hour set since I had other artists to catch, but I can definitely see why so many people stuck around for the full thing. Overall, a strong 4.5/5.

Still Woozy’s sunset set at The Outdoor Theatre was a nice way to continue the energy from Beabadoobee’s set. I really enjoyed his set with its mellow atmosphere and the great band he had performing with him. It all felt super laid-back but still kept the crowd moving. Him and his band were super engaging with the crowd too, which helped keep the energy up even though it was a more relaxed vibe. I did notice that a lot of the people at his set were camping out for JENNIE from BLACKPINK, and they weren’t really being that engaged. I have nothing against K-pop — I’m actually a big BLACKPINK fan myself and have seen them twice — but when people camp out and don’t respect the artist currently on, it definitely kills the vibe a bit. It wasn’t the most high-energy set of the day, but it was exactly what I needed at that point of the day and helped save some energy for the night that was still to come. Overall, a solid 4/5.

Beabadoobee’s set was super fun. She had some pretty bad audio issues during her first two songs but pushed through, which was good to see. Her band was amazing too, they really kept the energy up while she worked through the sound problems. I was actually supposed to see her back in 2020 when she was opening for The 1975 along with Phoebe Bridgers, which now honestly feels like a total fever dream of a lineup. The whole set had this amazing, chill atmosphere. The fans were super into it too, even from where I was standing. I’m definitely planning to catch her again when she tours, and if she keeps going at this pace, I could easily see her doing an arena tour. Overall, a strong 4.5/5.

Starting off the last day of Coachella 2025 with Interdisciplinary Criminal, you could tell the crowd was starting to feel tired, especially with how dusty the weekend had been and how hot the day was. Even though the heat and dust weren’t exactly ideal, people still turned up for his set. I had seen him as a guest the night before and he was super fun, but this time he had his own stage and full set. He brought his hard-hitting UK beats and fast-paced music, which was a really fun way to get the final day going. Overall, a solid 4/5.

I was recommended Keinemusik’s live sets by a few people and went into it not really knowing what to expect. When I got to the Sahara tent, I could immediately feel the amazing energy. The crowd was chill but still dancing, and it was a great mellow way to end the night. I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I liked their set — I had assumed it would be a lot more mellow than it actually was in person. The massive display for visuals and the moving giant Keinemusik logo just made the whole experience even better. I’ll definitely be seeing them again if I ever get the chance. Overall, a 4.5/5.

This was a surprise set at the DoLab that was announced as Sammy Virji & Friends. The “and friends” part was super cool, and he definitely delivered on that by bringing out Salute, Interplanetary Criminal, Oppidan, and Conducta. Sammy and his friends played a nonstop, high-energy set that kept people moving the whole time. This was also my first set of the year at the new DoLab after dark, and they really went all out — they brought out the lasers that skimmed just over the crowd’s heads, which was super cool to see. Such a fun surprise set overall and I look forward to seeing Sammy Virji this summer. Solid 4.5/5.

This classic rock band knows how to put on a good show. They’ve been at it forever, and their level of professionalism really shows. They know exactly how to get the crowd amped up. I wasn’t too sure about Green Day headlining at first, since the demographics of the festival didn’t seem like a perfect match, but I was definitely wrong. They drew a huge crowd, and people were really into it — all ages too. The production had some insane pyrotechnics and so many fireworks. One part I really liked was when they invited two fans up on stage to play with them. It was super cool to see such an engaging band, and one that clearly tries hard to connect with the audience. Overall, a fun 4.5/5.

After seeing Charli XCX on the SWEAT tour with Troye Sivan I was excited to see what she would do for Coachella. I was surprised when the lineup came out that she wasn’t billed as a headliner or even in the returning to the desert slot because of how insanely impactful her brat album and whole era was in 2024. This was my fourth time seeing Charli XCX live and she always brings the energy, and this time was no exception. The setup and production were incredibly basic, but the crowd was hyped and jumping for the entire 55 minutes she was on the Coachella stage. Weekend One definitely won with her guest appearances being Lorde, Billie Eilish, and Troye Sivan, and Weekend Two got Addison Rae. I think the crowd was expecting a few more guests, especially since the brat remix album was so popular and had so many cool features. Despite that, I think Charli really brought the energy and killed her set. Overall, a 4.5/5.

For the second set of the day, I headed over to the DoLab to watch Tycho play his DJ set. I wasn’t too sure how his music would transfer to a space like the DoLab, but I think it worked pretty well, especially for a late afternoon slot. It was mellow but still groovy, with lots of room to dance. Overall, a 4/5.

Starting out day two with Disco Lines, who has recently started getting big in the EDM scene. He played the Sahara tent for his late afternoon set. It was super fun and energetic, with visuals full of memes and pop culture references. He had a ton of intense bass drops and left so many of his trending songs to the end. I would say Disco Lines was a great way to start the day with some energy. Overall, a 4/5.

Lady Gaga’s return to the desert was unforgettable. When the lineup dropped, she talked about how she was never really able to realize her full vision for Coachella back in 2017, since that set was a last-minute replacement for Beyoncé, even though it was still very well received. Leading up to this show, she kept almost everything secret, teasing that she was planning something special. Honestly, the secrecy and the hype were completely justified. This ended up being one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Everything from the production, the setlist, the costumes, the dancers, even the song order, felt so meticulously thought out. She opened with “Bloody Mary” in this massive 20-foot-tall Victorian-style dress, and then transitioned into “Abracadabra,” where the dress opened up and revealed her backup dancers hiding inside it. At one point, she was lying in a bin of sand surrounded by skeletons, and then the skeletons came to life, and there was a whole dance fight story during “Poker Face”… there was just so much packed into this show. It felt so cinematic, I honestly could have watched it a few more times just to fully take it all in. I saw Lady Gaga on her Chromatica Ball tour back in 2022 and loved it, but this show made that one feel like a high school play compared to the level of production and detail she put into her Mayhem in the Desert headlining set. Lady Gaga definitely set the bar insanely high for the weekend and for future Coachella headliners. I really believe there was a reason she chose to close out opening night of the festival. I think she set the bar so high that a lot of other shows couldn’t even come close. Honestly, I think she could have and should have closed out the entire festival as the final bang. Overall, this was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen, and I’d easily give it a 6/5.

Missy put on a production as usual. Her set at Coachella was super engaging and visually awesome with the whole space and intergalactic theme. Her entrance was her as a transformer that looked like a Lamborghini and she stood up and it was her. I did get the chance to see her last summer on her Out of This World The Experience tour. This set was a slightly shorter version of the show I saw in Toronto. Missy is definitely an amazing performer and really engaging for the fans. She popular well before my time but I still knew so many of her songs and so did the audience. I do wish she played more of her hits but the set was a bit short since she’s wasn’t closing out the festival.  Definitely a legendary artist to see live. Overall a 4.5/5

I was pleasantly surprised by Benson Boone’s set because honestly, I went into it with no expectations. I had seen a few TikToks of him doing backflips and all kinds of crazy stunts, and those looked cool, but I wasn’t really sure what to expect live. I did know that Brian May came out during Weekend 1, but not for Weekend 2, and a lot of people were pretty disappointed about that. Benson tried to make up for it by bringing out a cardboard cutout of Brian, which was funny at first and a nice little tribute while he played a Queen cover. But then he kept dancing around with it for like ten minutes and it got old pretty quick. Still, Benson’s definitely a showman. You can really tell how inspired he is by Freddie Mercury, just in how he moves around the stage and keeps the energy up. He’s definitely trying to build his own thing, and honestly, he’s not far off. Overall a 4/5

I caught about two-thirds of Sara Landry’s Sahara tent set. I saw her this past summer at Electric Island in Toronto and she absolutely killed it, her 2.5 hour set felt like it was 10 minutes. This time the stage was ten times bigger and the crowd was even crazier. It was my first time seeing her new Eternalism production and the visuals were insane, especially with the new Sahara screens. It was super immersive. It almost felt like seeing a completely different artist, but in a good way. I spent a bit of time up on the hill next to the Sahara just taking it all in, and it was so cool to see the full production from up there. She still really got the crowd going and kept that same energy she’s known for. Overall, I’d give it a 4/5.

Third set of the day and as a fan of Stranger Things I was excited for this one. I knew Joe Keery’s old band Post Animal and had heard some of his solo stuff under his new name, Djo. He came out and played a bunch of his new songs, but I don’t know, I felt like the crowd just wasn’t that into it. I wasn’t either, honestly. He had the energy of someone who thought he’d already made it, just a little ahead of schedule, and it kind of killed the vibe for me. Overall a 2.5/5.

I caught about half of Lola Young’s set in the packed-to-the-brim Mojave tent. I had seen part of her set at Osheaga last year too, and even though she had some audio issues then, she really pushed through it. This time she seemed way more confident and energetic, and you could definitely see her growth, especially with how popular her song “Messy” has gotten. I do wish I was able to catch more of her set because it felt like she was really hitting her stride. At the pace she’s going, I can definitely see a promising future for her. Overall, a solid 4/5.

First set of Coachella 2025 to kick off my weekend. This was the first show where I got to see the new Sahara tent production for the year. It was basically a giant LED wall screen this time, with some smaller lights scattered across the roof. The new screen was amazing and felt super immersive no matter where you were standing in the tent. Chris Lorenzo definitely made good use of it. He opened his set with some hard-hitting beats and got the energy up right away. Every now and then he’d flash the crowd up on the big screen and people would lose it, which gave the whole set this fun, connected feel, like everyone was in it together. When he played “MAMI,” the screen cut to him and suddenly went all distorted and orange. It looked super trippy and honestly fit the moment perfectly. Overall, a really fun set to start Coachella Weekend 2, and I’d give it a 4/5.

This was my third time seeing Tyler live, and honestly, he never disappoints. It was my first time catching his Chromakopia set though, and it felt like a complete shift from his other shows. The setup was super cool and probably the most advanced one he’s done so far. His energy and the crowd’s energy were amazing. The giant shipping crate, the green lights, all the screens, it all just really fit this era he’s in. Tyler always brings so much energy, and somehow he manages to keep the whole crowd locked in the entire time. The last time I saw him was his headlining set at Coachella, and that had the perfect setlist, incredible guests, and a one-of-a-kind production for Tyler, which is hard to recreate in smaller arenas. The B-stage was where he played almost all his classics, but most of them were shortened. I get it, he has so much music now that he wants to fit in, but part of me still wishes I could have heard more full versions. It’s a small thing, but so many of his fans, including myself, love his old stuff a lot. Even with that, Tyler still never disappoints when it comes to live shows. I’d give it a solid 4.5/5.

After a long wait, Kygo finally got to play his Toronto show. It was supposed to happen back in September at Woodbine Park, but it got cancelled last minute because of a thunderstorm rolling in. This time around he moved the show indoors to Scotiabank Arena. We kicked off the night with Zerb, which honestly was a great choice because he set the energy perfectly for what was coming. Then Kygo came out and played a full two-hour set with some crazy production, huge visuals, lights everywhere, and a mix of intense house tracks and slower, more emotional piano songs. As usual, he brought a bunch of friends out to perform with him, which is always cool to see. The atmosphere was even better with the light-up bracelets they handed out. I really think more artists should use them, it just makes you feel like you’re actually part of the show, not just watching it. I did catch Kygo back on his Kids in Love tour too, and to be honest, I thought the production and setlist were a little stronger back then… even though that was almost seven years ago now, which is wild to think about. Still, overall, amazing night. 4/5.

I scored a cheap ticket to Maggie Rogers’ first arena tour and was excited to finally see her live after hearing such great things. Her vocals were incredible, and her band sounded fantastic. She played a solid two-hour set spanning all her albums. That said, Coca Cola Coliseum isn’t my favourite concert venue—the acoustics really don’t do it any favours, and at times it sounded a bit tinny with the stage feeling distant. The production also felt a bit small for an arena and probably would’ve been better suited to Budweiser Stage or a smaller venue. Overall, I’d give the experience a 3/5.

This was my fourth time seeing Sofi Tukker live, and they never disappoint! This duo consistently delivers amazing shows, and they’re so good at engaging the crowd and getting everyone to participate. They brought along Bob’s Dance Shop, who toured with them last time, and this dance crew really knows how to amp up the energy, keeping everyone dancing hard. Sofi sounds incredible live, and Tukker’s live mixing is on point. They even retrofitted a piece of playground equipment as a drum kit—when Tukker hits different spots, it plays, and Sofi was climbing all over it throughout the show. Sofi Tukker is definitely the go-to duo for a fun, high-energy night. Overall, a solid 4.5/5!

I went to see Fred Again both nights on his Places We’ve Never Been tour stops in Toronto. I’ve been following Fred for a while and have seen him a few times, starting with his 2022 Coachella set and then at History later that same year. I remember him being totally floored by the crowd size at Coachella, especially since the tent felt small compared to the arenas he’s playing now. It’s been amazing to watch his growth, and he’s become one of the most consistent, creative, and incredible live artists to see. Both Toronto shows had unique vibes, which was awesome because he mixes live, giving each night a fresh feel. His setup was on point, with multiple small stages around the floor that made it feel close and connected no matter where you were. He played a lot of his more acoustic songs, switching to piano and vocals, and then mixed them live, keeping the energy high from start to finish. There was never a quiet or low-energy moment—Fred had everyone dancing, jumping, and vibing the entire time. Overall, I’d give both nights a solid 4.8/5!

Billie Eilish has been one of the most consistently amazing live performers I’ve seen. This young megastar knows how to command a crowd and make everyone feel like they’re part of the show. Fresh off her new album, Hit Me Hard and Soft—which was incredible and showcased a wide range of music styles—I was excited to hear a bunch of those songs live. Billie came on and truly gave the crowd a show. Her production was top-notch, with incredible visuals and stage setup. The 360-degree stage, mini second stage at the end of the arena floor, and floating platforms she performed on made Scotiabank Arena feel so intimate. The energy and vibes were almost as good as when I saw her front row a few years ago; even though I was up in the nosebleeds this time, she had everyone singing and moving the whole time. I’ll definitely be seeing Billie again next time she’s in Toronto. Overall, a solid 4.8/5.

Kings of Leon was my last outdoor show of an amazing, packed 2024 season. I surprised my dad with tickets since he’s wanted to see them live for a while. I’m not sure if it was just an off night or if that’s just their style live, but throughout the show, it felt like they were just playing through the set without much enthusiasm or energy. Overall, it was a bit underwhelming, especially considering the fairly high ticket prices. Overall, I’d give it a 3/5.

Kaytranada’s sold-out show at Budweiser Stage was a total dance party, packed with good vibes and incredible production. This was my second time seeing Kaytra in less than a year—the first was his pop-up show at History for New Year’s. That set was amazing and intimate, but it felt like he’d outgrown smaller venues like History, and he proved it with his Bud Stage performance. Chanel Tres kicked off the night, absolutely killing it with an insanely engaging opening set complete with choreography. He had everyone dancing from start to finish through his whole 90-minute set. His production looked simple and minimal, but it was anything but. With moving lights and a huge display, it felt super immersive and made the show even better. Overall, a solid 4.8/5!

I saw Vampire Weekend on their Toronto tour stop. I’d bought my ticket almost a year ago and went all in for pit tickets. I got a sneak peek of their upcoming tour at Coachella this year when they played a pop-up set at the outdoor theatre, which made me even more excited to see the full-length set with all the production. They came on around 8 and played an epic, nearly three-hour set packed with their early 2000s and 2010s indie hits. Despite the torrential downpour, they put on an enthusiastic show for us. Overall, a solid 4/5.

The night was supposed to be mainly for Kygo, but the weather had other plans. At least I got to catch Sam Feldt before the show got called off. He brought so much energy, kicking off with a super fun set that had everyone dancing. I’d been waiting to see him live since he dropped “Post Malone” during the pandemic, so I’m glad I got to finally experience it. Fingers crossed Kygo reschedules soon. Overall, a solid 4/5 for Sam.

I saw Porter Robinson on the first of his two sold-out Toronto shows on the SMILE! :D Tour. This was my second time seeing him live. He was great the first time, but that was more of a DJ set. This time, he had a full live band and sang throughout the entire set. His synth-pop sound works incredibly well live. He also used his signature hyper-pop autotune for the whole performance, which was fantastic. This may have been one of the most hyped-up pits I’ve been in for a while—the crowd was jumping non-stop for the entire set. We also got showered in a crap ton of confetti numerous times throughout the show. Porter delivered a high-energy performance that lasted just over two hours, featuring music from his different eras. It was awesome to see him at an intimate venue like History because he could easily have played a larger one. Definitely worth seeing him on this tour, and I’d give it a 4.5/5!

I went to see Charli XCX and Troye Sivan on their co-headlining arena tour stop in Toronto. Charli XCX, hot off her insanely popular album and Brat Summer, this momentum was definitely getting people excited. The show started with Troye Sivan playing a few songs, including some of his hits, which had the fans singing along. Then Charli XCX came on with a bang when her Brat album-colored curtain dropped, and the crowd really got dancing. It was a bit of an odd layout for this co-headline show as they alternated every few songs. Troye had really good energy, but it was definitely a different vibe from Charli XCX, who is more synth-dance pop. I feel like the energy would have been more consistent if they played separate sets and ended the show together. This was my third time seeing Charli XCX; the first time was her opening at this arena to a crowd of a couple hundred at most, and the second time was a daytime set at Coachella. She has been consistently good live, so it was cool to see her sell out the arena she once opened at. Overall, a fun dance night and a 4.3/5.

I scored a ticket for The Killers just before they took the stage for the band’s first show of two sold out nights at Budweiser Stage. This iconic band had always been on my list to see. They played a solid just over 90 minute set full of their early 2000s hits and had their fans old and new signing along even on the lawn. The band definitely knows how to play large shows and does it very well. Overall a fun night with some good throwback hits and a 4/5.

Dom Dolla, hot off his run at Coachella and his back-to-back shows with John Summit, the Australian DJ, played a massive show in Toronto at Budweiser Stage, which sold out in minutes. The night kicked off with Airwolf Paradise, who started off a bit slow, but in his last 45 minutes had the crowd moving. Then Dom came on stage and really brought the energy with top-notch production, featuring crazy visuals and pyro so intense you could feel the heat from the stands. He had also requested fans wear double denim, and the outfits I saw were absolutely crazy—people really went all out. Unfortunately, a number of younger fans weren’t behaving, which killed the buzz for many in the crowd. I’m hoping it’s 19+ next time to avoid this. Overall, it was a crazy show with amazing visuals, outfits, and music, and I’d rate it a 4.5/5.

The dream pop band from Texas, Cigarettes After Sex, played a sold-out show at Scotiabank Arena. This was only the second night of their tour, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially for a show of this size and with this type of music. The energy was very relaxed and mellow, much like their music, and the entire crowd was seated, which is a rare sight for concerts. I was skeptical about the band being able to play an arena, but they had good visuals and large screens that made the arena feel more intimate, which it did. This was a nice way to wrap up a busy week full of shows, and overall, I’d give it a 4/5.

The closer and headliner for the night was Eli Brown, who has recently blown up. He played a nearly two-hour set with hard techno sounds and remixes of many popular artists like Dom Dolla, which had the crowd chanting along to the lyrics. His energy reminded me a lot of seeing Fisher live, though with a different style of music—more clubby house sounds. I can see him becoming one of the next big EDM artists due to his great blend of club vibes and more chill house sounds. Overall, I’d give it a 4/5, and it was a great way to end the night.

The second artist of the night was Dubfire at the Main Stage. I managed to catch about 45 minutes of his set. He played his techno and progressive house mixes. I personally wasn’t a fan of the repetitive beat and the soft sounds that accompanied it, as I felt it should have been more of a hard techno sound overall. Despite that, he still had the crowd moving. Overall, I’d give it a 3/5.

I got a last-minute invite to the season closer for Electric Island, and this was the first set of the night. The techno-trance duo from Berlin played under the Bentway, which created a really cool atmosphere. I even got invited up on stage, which was a wild experience. From that perspective, you could see the crowd size, and everyone was moving and dancing. They played a really fun dance set with hard beats. Overall, I’d give it a 4/5.

I saw Wallows, the pop alt-rock band from LA, play their first big show in Toronto on their arena/amphitheatre tour to promote their new album MODEL. I first saw them a few years ago during an early daytime set at Coachella, and I really liked their show and music—I’ve been a fan ever since. For their Toronto show, I got pit seats, and it was totally worth it. The fans’ energy and the band’s stage presence were awesome. It felt like the same band I saw at Coachella, but with much bigger production, energy, and confidence. The crowd in the pit was dancing and singing along the whole time, and there were even mosh pits, which were super fun and unexpected since Wallows isn’t usually the type of band that makes music for moshing. The band also spent a few songs playing in the crowd and near the lawn on a second stage, which made everyone feel seen. The set flew by. Overall, I’d give it a 4.8/5.

I saw Cage The Elephant on their Neon Pill tour stop in Toronto. This was my second time seeing the band live; the first was when they opened for Beck way back in 2018. The show started with Young The Giant, who was a great opener choice. They had the crowd on their feet and singing along, setting the energy in the crowd up for the night. I was impressed with Cage The Elephant’s energy and enthusiasm, especially lead singer Matt Shultz. The band came out at 9, and despite Matt having a broken foot and being on a mobility scooter, he delivered an incredible show. His energy was just as intense as the first time I saw them, but this time it was for a full 90-minute set. Overall, I’d give the show a 4.5/5.

I recently saw Glass Animals on their new tour, and it was an incredible experience. They played a mix of songs from their new album, which, surprisingly, the crowd knew many of the words to, even though it came out recently. Dave Bayley, the lead singer, has really grown as a performer since the first time I saw him two years ago on their Dreamland Tour. His stage presence was impressive, and he made sure everyone in the audience felt noticed, even those as far back as the lawn. The production was top-notch, with lasers, rising platforms, and cool props that added to the space exploration aesthetic they had for the tour. A cool moment during the show was when Dave went off the stage to play one of their old hits, “Gooey,” right in front of the lawn, making everyone at the back feel seen. Another unforgettable moment was during their song “Lost in the Ocean,” when the fans coordinated a project to cover their phone flashlights with coloured paper, lighting up the crowd in a sea of coulors. It was a beautiful sight that made the night even more special. The night was full of great music, fans, amazing production, and a band that truly knows how to connect with their audience. Overall, a 4.8/5.

I saw Missy Elliott on her first headlining tour of her long career. She had been on my list to see live for a while, as she rarely plays live. She called her tour “Out of This World: The Experience” and brought a bunch of her friends on tour with her to support her. We started off the night with Timbaland, who played his early 2000s mega hits, which he is featured on. Right after, we got Busta Rhymes, who played a super fun, engaging set that had everyone from front to back on their feet. Ciara was the final supporting act, and she played a set filled with her R&B hits, along with some impressive choreography and dancing. Finally, the main act, Missy Elliott, came on with her incredible production, which featured a ton of backup dancers, pyrotechnics, lasers, floating platforms, and my favorite light-up bracelets. Missy was an incredibly engaging performer who seems to love playing live. However, her set felt a bit short, leaving us wanting more. She ended her set by bringing out the other artists on the tour to play with her. Overall, it was a super fun night filled with amazing production, artists, and performances. Overall, a 4.8/5.

Back for the second time on their reunion tour, this time it’s a much bigger show. This iconic So-Cal punk rock band played a sold-out show at the Rogers Centre after playing a couple of sold-out shows last year at Scotiabank Arena. This was my fourth time seeing Blink-182 live, and they are always consistently good. Mark and Tom are still middle schoolers at heart, joking around in some crazy vulgar ways, which always makes the crowd chuckle. They played their classics like “All the Small Things,” “What’s My Age Again,” and “I Miss You,” which were all amazing throwback hits. This is a band that always puts on a good show for everyone, from the pit up front to all the way back in the nosebleeds. Overall, a 4.5/5.

Sara Landry’s headling set to close out the third Electric Island of the year was a head banging dance party full of intense DnB. She recently blew up online because of her live shows like her set she played for Boiler Room which got a lot of attention and after seeing it my expectations were high. Sara came on and played non stop for just a bit over 2 hours playing a bunch of her remixes with her signature high BPM beats and distortion. She was really good at getting the crowd going. Her set felt like it was over in the blink of an eye. I hope she keeps growing in the increasingly popular DnB genre as she definitely knows how to put on a show. Overall a 4.5/5

SZA’s Osheaga headlining set to close out the festival was a solid, well-rehearsed performance full of her mega hits, accompanied by great production. I saw SZA on her S.O.S. tour in 2023, and I was blown away by her production and skills as a performer. This set was a stripped-down, more basic version with a different theme than the S.O.S. tour show I originally saw, but it was still an amazing production. Overall, SZA’s set was a nice way to end the festival and my first Osheaga. I give it a 4.5/5.

I have only heard good things about Hozier’s live shows. He has been on my list to see for a couple of years now, as I couldn’t get tickets to his summer 2023 tour. As soon as Hozier hit the stage, I was really impressed by his incredible vocals. He sounds better live than he does on streaming platforms. He also had an amazing band on stage with him, playing his hits and deep tracks. He ended the set with his 2013 mega-hit “Take Me to Church,” which had the whole crowd belting out the lyrics. I do think that his set would have been even better if he had played on Friday before Noah Kahan, as they have similar fan bases and energy. It was a very memorable set from the festival and gets a 4.5/5.

This newly famous pop star from South Africa played her first show in Montreal at Osheaga. Tyla’s set featured amazing choreography and vocals from Tyla and her dancers. They did encounter some technical issues, but they powered through with a sense of humour about it. Overall, a 4.5/5.

This set immediately followed Raye’s, which ended on a really nice high point. I was looking forward to his performance, as friends had recommended him to me. I’m not sure if it was an off show, but his set was bizarre, to say the least. From the moment he got on stage, I got the impression he was trying to emulate a Harry Styles-type of show, but it wasn’t working for him. Midway through his set, he started preaching about how Jesus loves you, and then people began to leave. Overall, a very weird performance: 2/5.

Raye, the rising British pop star, delivered a very memorable set at Osheaga despite the issues that occurred during her performance. Despite technical difficulties at the beginning and a severe weather shutdown, Raye and her band made the most of their time on stage. She performed some deeply moving songs as well as tracks that got the crowd dancing. Her ability to command a crowd is impressive, just like the first time I saw her. She is a very talented singer and performer with a promising career ahead of her. Overall, a 4.7/5.

The Australian electro-pop band Confidence Man played a daytime set at the Island Stage. The two lead singers were super engaging with the audience, showcasing their wild, wacky dance moves, cool costumes, and mannerisms. They had the crowd on their feet, jumping for the whole set. Overall, a super fun performance: 4.5/5.

As a longtime EDM fan, I have wanted to see Martin Garrix live for many years. I’ve watched videos of his shows at so many other festivals around the world, and they looked incredible. Martin Garrix really brought the energy and visual effects with his insane pyrotechnics. He played his biggest hits along with a bunch of awesome remixes. His set ranged from hard bass drops to house and everything in between, also showcasing his music evolution from his early days starting out as a teenager to the present. Overall, it was a great way to end the second day of Osheaga. Overall, his set gets a 4.5/5

This iconic punk rock band’s headlining set was a fun one, filled with nostalgic classics. Despite having been around for as long as they have, they still really brought the energy and the pyro, which was awesome to see. They had the crowd engaged and jumping around from front to back. Although it was amazing, I had to make a tough call to see half of their two-hour set in order to catch Martin Garrix, whom I had been wanting to see for a long time. But in the hour I saw Green Day, it was a very engaging and memorable set from the iconic band. Despite the classic festival-goer’s dilemma of set time conflicts, it was a 4.5/5.

Elderbrook’s set at Osheaga was a dancey, fun adventure, mixing various EDM styles and his own live vocals. Throughout his set, Elderbrook seamlessly mixed tracks and sang his live vocals. This set reminded me a lot of RÜFÜS DU SOL’s shows, with their live aspects such as drums and vocals. His set was definitely unique and very enjoyable. Overall, a 4/5.

A staple in my EDM playlists for over 5 years, Gryffin never fails to put on a fun EDM show. His blend of remixing other artists’ songs as well as playing electric guitar live makes his shows unique, especially in the EDM genre. His set was at the Island Stage, where they had set up pyro, which he took full advantage of whenever there was a bass drop. The crowd was loving his set and so was I. Overall, a 4.5/5.

Denzel Curry’s set was a bit of a rollercoaster for myself and many others. Going into his set, I mostly knew him from his features on other artists’ tracks, like “Tokyo Drifting” by Glass Animals. He put on an energetic performance and has great stage presence, but it got weird with his constant shoutouts to Drake and Kanye West, who have both been in hot water recently. The crowd booed, but that did not stop him. Aside from the bizarre shoutouts, much to the dismay of the audience, he still put on an energetic and fun show. Overall, a 3.5/5.

This retro(ish) rock band took the main stage for a daytime set on Saturday, right after Chappell Roan and right before Renee Rapp. The crowd dynamics for this set were interesting but seemed to work despite the polar opposites in fan bases. The band played a solid hard set with mosh pits and crowd surfing. Overall, they get a 4/5.

The next set of the day was Sofia Kourtesis at the Island Stage, which is mostly booked with up-and-coming EDM artists. I had listened to a bit of Sofia Kourtesis before this and liked her mellow, soulful style of EDM. However, her set was not at all like her music on streaming platforms. It was a wild dance party with remixes of classics from countless famous artists. The vibes were great from both Sofia and the crowd. This dance party of a set gets a 4/5.

Starting off the second day of Osheaga was Chappell Roan, who is currently experiencing an insane rise in popularity. This is my second time seeing her live this year, the first time being the opening act for Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS Tour. Even in March, when she opened, the venue was pretty full, and the fans were very enthusiastic. Since then, she’s blown up for her live shows and her songs being super popular on TikTok. The crowd for her 3:30 show was enormous and had people lining up hours before doors opened for a chance at a good spot. She put on a super energetic and engaging set where she played all her viral songs like Pink Pony Club and HOT TO GO! Along with getting the massive crowd to do the HOT TO GO! Dance. Chappell Roan was definitely billed too low on this year’s lineup, I hope to see her again as a headliner if this impressive momentum sticks. This set started off day two with a bang. Overall a 4.8/5

Noah Kahan’s headlining slot at Osheaga was a nice way to end the first night of the festival. His rapid rise to fame seems not to be taken for granted, as he appeared very grateful to be headlining such a large festival so early in his career. He talked about attending the festival back in 2016, sneaking in drinks, and how surreal it was to be headlining the festival he used to attend. He played his folk-pop hits and definitely delivered a strong headlining performance. My expectations for his live show were high, but he exceeded them with his captivating presence and heartfelt show. As a casual listener of Noah Kahan’s, I was very impressed with his live show and his genuine love for performing live. I will definitely be seeing him again. Overall, a 4.8/5.

Melanie Martinez’s set at Osheaga was an interesting show, to say the least. Coming off a sold-out arena tour, her high billing on this year’s lineup was expected. She played a long set filled with very elaborate set designs, pyrotechnics, and choreography. Unfortunately, the crowd was not very into the show, as it didn’t have the same type of energy as the main headliner for that night, Noah Kahan. This lack of enthusiasm was not due to Melanie Martinez’s lack of effort, as it seemed a lot of thought and care was placed into creating this impressive production. I think it would have been better to swap Hozier’s set with Melanie Martinez’s set, as they would have complemented the following headliner’s set and energy better. Overall, a 3.8/5.

Romy’s set at Osheaga’s Island Stage was a dance party filled with a lot of jumping, good beats, and happy people. As a member of the popular band The XX, she has been working on solo projects with lots of EDM influences. This was my second time seeing her live, this time for her Club Mid Air tour. While the set was the same, the vibes and energy at the festival show were on another level compared to her Toronto show in late 2023. She is a very engaging performer who clearly loves what she does and does it well. Overall, a 4.5/5.

After seeing so many videos online of this indie pop rock band from Ireland and how awesome their live shows look, their set was a must-see for me. Those videos truly showcase the energy they bring to their live performances, and seeing them live was no different. The band was incredibly engaging, quickly winning over the crowd. They played their upbeat songs with their signature guitar sound, getting everyone dancing and singing along, making it an enjoyable set on the first day of the festival. They closed out their set with “What You Know,” which was an incredible, feel-good way to end their performance and continue the day. Overall, a 4.5/5.

D4VD’s set was a last-minute addition to the festival after Dominic Fike was unable to perform at Osheaga or Lollapalooza due to illness. D4VD is a new artist who quickly became popular on TikTok for his sad, mellow songs, which really resonate with many. Despite being a last-minute addition and a young new artist, he drew a considerably large crowd, which was a pleasant surprise. His performance moved the audience with his emotional and relatable music, showcasing his potential as a rising star. Overall, a 4/5.

Mimi Webb’s Osheaga set was a last-minute decision based on a very strong recommendation about her live shows. This set immediately followed The Japanese House at the adjacent stage. Mimi Webb played a set filled with really fun dance-pop music, which put the crowd in good spirits and got them moving. Her voice reminded me a lot of Tate McRae, who I had seen recently. Overall, her set was a fun dance-pop experience and gets a 3.8/5.

Starting off my first day at Osheaga, I went to see the rising indie pop artist The Japanese House. This was my first time seeing her live, and her daytime set was a fantastic way to begin the festival. She brought her chill indie sounds to the stage, setting a relaxed and inviting tone that was perfect for easing into a weekend filled with a wide range of artists spanning many genres. The Japanese House delivered a captivating performance that resonated with the crowd. Overall, a 4/5.

I went to see one of the newest artists to blow up, Tate McRae, in her first big show in the city, which sold out Budweiser Stage. She came on with a bang and really brought the energy. Showcasing her skills as a dancer, there was a lot of amazing choreography throughout her set. She played all of her new hits and really got the crowd going. The night ended with an encore of her biggest hit, Greedy, which had the entire crowd on their feet, singing along. Tate McRae has a very promising career ahead of her and gets a 4.5/5 for her Toronto show.

This co-headlining throwback show at Budweiser Stage was a great night filled with nostalgic hits from both bands. REO Speedwagon kicked off the night with a solid hour-long set filled with their hits. Soon after, Train took the stage and played their very popular early 2000s mega hits. Surprisingly, the crowd was filled with a younger generation of fans, adding a fresh vibe to this nostalgic show. Overall, this was a great show filled with old hits from two great bands. 4/5.

I scored a last-minute ticket for Jelly Roll’s Toronto pop-up show at History. I have only seen a handful of country shows, so I am relatively new to the genre. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was really impressed by Jelly Roll’s performance. He played some really deep and soulful songs, talked about his struggles with mental health and addiction, which you could see resonated with many. He also brought out a special guest, AJ McLean from The Backstreet Boys, and they performed a duet of “I Want it That Way,” which was surreal. Overall, it was an amazing night and great exposure to new music. 4.5/5

I went to see Niall Horan on his “The Show” tour stop in Toronto, during the second night of his sold-out back-to-back shows at Scotiabank Arena. From the start, Niall brought an energy that reached even the highest seats in the nosebleeds. Despite the arena's size, his stage setup made the whole place feel like an intimate theatre show at a smaller venue. The fans were amazing too, creating a friendly and upbeat atmosphere that you could feel all around. Niall seemed really thankful to be there, often expressing his gratitude to us for coming and recalling specific details about his past shows in the city. This genuine connection made the concert more than just a performance; it felt like a night where everyone was just happy to be together. Overall, it was a very enjoyable night and a solid 4/5.

Arkells Doubleheader with Grouplove at Budweiser Stage. Grouplove started off the night with some good chill vibes and was a nice way to start the show. This was a great show from the super popular local rock band. This show was my third time seeing Arkells and they are always a great time. Max, the lead singer, is super engaging and really makes the crowd feel like they are part of the show, from the front of the venue all the way to the back. This was a jam-packed, over 2-hour set that flew by. Overall, it was a great night filled with great vibes from the bands and the fans, and it gets a 4/5.

Doja Cat's Scarlet Tour stop in Paris was an unforgettable night. This was my first show in Europe and my third time seeing Doja Cat, the previous times being at Coachella 2022 and her headlining set in 2024. Her show in Paris was a super engaging and cool production, similar to her Coachella performance. Doja is consistently a very good performer. She played most of her hits and the set was largely filled with tracks from her Scarlet albums. The fans in Paris knew the words to almost every song in the hour and a half set list. Overall, this show was an amazing performance and gets a 4.5/5.

Feid's FerxxoCalipsis Tour stop in Toronto was an energetic and visually stunning experience, packed with dancing and friendly fans. The production quality was insane, featuring a 360-degree stage surrounded by towering LED screens, which Feid climbed during his performance. Every fan received a light-up band that enhanced the visual spectacle even more. He performed all his popular hits for over two hours. Feid proved himself to be a captivating performer. He made excellent use of the impressive stage setup, making everyone in the arena feel seen. The show was truly one to remember and an outstanding performance. Overall, a solid 4.8/5.

The Toronto stop of 21 Savage's American Dream Tour was super fun and full of energy. J.I.D kicked things off with a killer opening set that was short but really set the stage for the rest of the night. When 21 Savage came on, the crowd's energy went through the roof, even reaching the people at the back on the lawns. He performed all his hits and had a cool stage setup with a floating platform. He's definitely upped his game as a performer. Overall, it was an awesome night and earns a 4/5.

Nicki Minaj was an artist I’ve wanted to see for a while. Unfortunately her show was very disappointing. She showed up over 2 hours late, lip synced many of her songs, left for almost half an hour in the middle of the show and cut many songs from her set. Her show felt very low effort and it seemed like she didn’t want to be there. Overall a disappointing show and a 1/5.

Neil Young’s hometown show was a great throwback nostalgia show. He hasn’t played in Toronto for a while and the show was packed full of fans of all ages. He played his hits with Crazy Horse and did some of his amazing guitar work. This show was a great way to kick off the summer concert season! Overall a 4/5.

This co-headlining tour from Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service was a night with good vibes. The show was very mellow which was expected. Both bands played good shows and people were into the relaxed vibes. I don’t think this was the right venue for this type of show but it was a good experience otherwise. Overall a 3.8/5.

X Ambassadors was a fun intimate show at The Danforth Music Hall. I scored a last minute ticket to this show and it was a fun time. The band seems to love playing live and the lead singer is a very engaging performer. Overall a fun show and a 4/5.

Kettama’s set at the season opener for Electric Island was a fun way to start the night. This was my first time going to Electric Island and it was a super fun event overall. Kettama’s set was a fun way to start the night with his remixes which got the crowd dancing under The Bentway. Overall a 4/5.

The Martinez Brothers were the closer for the Saturday night and they weren’t my vibe as the beat and mixes felt repetitive with little switches in energy. The lighting and visuals were pretty cool though. Overall a 3/5.

Indira Paganotto’s set at Electric Island was a hard techno dance party. I went into her set not knowing anything about her music but I had a blast. She’s been on repeat ever since. Just a very fun dancey set full of great energy and vibes. A great 4.5/5.

Barry Can’t Swim was a super fun chill dance party and a great way to start off the festival’s closing night. His live band was a really cool edition with their beekeeper costumes. He is an engaging performer and did well considering he is still quite new at playing live. Overall a 3.9/5.

DJ Snake’s Sahara tent set was a head banging rager full of his classics. This was my second time seeing DJ Snake. The first time was at Coachella 2019. The sets felt similar which wasn’t a bad thing. This set was just way bigger since it was at the new Sahara tent. Overall a super fun show and a 4/5.

Doja Cat’s headlining spot at Coachella to close out the festival was a really cool production full of amazing choreography, props and visuals. This is my second time seeing Doja live, the last time was her sub headlining in 2022. Her set felt super polished and well planned with amazing outfits and cool stage designs. She played a set list of mostly new stuff which worked well for the vibes she was going for on this set. She proved herself that she is an amazing performer with this set. Her headlining set was fantastic and a great way to close out the festival! Overall very solid a 4.8/5.

Tyler’s headlining set was just amazing. Everything from the production, the set list, the special guests. He started out his set by coming out in an exploding camper van which was an insane way to start a show. He played all his classics, many with the featured artists on his albums. We saw a lot of really cool guest appearances from ASAP Rocky, Childish Gambino, Kali Uchis and Charlie Wilson. From start to finish his set was just an incredible adventure. I had high expectations as he was great the first time I saw him but this blew me away. Overall an incredible 5/5.

Reneé Rapp’s Coachella set was a super fun dancey daytime set. The Outdoor Theatre stage was packed for her set and the crowd was very into it. We got a really cool guest appearance from Kesha who did a duet with Reneé Rapp for her song Tik Tok which was super fun and got the crowd going even more. Overall a super fun daytime set and a 4/5.

Nav’s show at the Sahara was a fun show and cool seeing a Toronto artist play the festival. He played a fun energetic set full of mosh pits. He did bring out Metro Boomin who was on stage for a large chunk of the set hyping up the crowd and Nav. Overall a fun set 4/5.

Blur at Coachella 2024 was a good legacy set. They played some of their hits and there was some good energy at the front. It does feel like they were billed a bit too high on the lineup as the crowd at the main stage was quite small. As a performance I would rate it a solid 4/5.

Ice Spice at Coachella 2024 was a super fun set that I only caught part of. The crowd was huge at the Sahara and spilled out quite a bit. She played all her popular songs and really got the crowd going with her energy. I wish I had seen more of her set. Overall a super fun show and a 4.3/5.

No Doubt’s reunion show at Coachella was super fun and full of throwbacks. Gwen Stefani is still an amazing and energetic performer who sounds great live. This was the band’s first performance in nearly a decade and it did not show. They put on a great headlining set. Overall an amazing 5/5 and I would love to see them live again if they ever tour.

Bizarrap at Coachella 2024 was a super fun early evening set and a great way to kick off the night. His set was energetic and you could feel the crazy bass drops. During his set we had a special guest appearance from Shakira which was really cool. They played a couple songs together and she announced her upcoming tour while on stage. Overall a solid 4/5!

Vampire Weekend was a surprise late add to Coachella and they were a weekend 1 exclusive. This band had been on my list to see for a while as I missed the Father of The Bride tour. The set list covered all of the classics and people were really happy to hear them live. The set was short and sweet. Vampire Weekend was a great way to start day 2! I would say it was overall 4/5

Purple Disco Machine played a super fun groovy daytime set at the Sahara tent. As in his name it was a Disco Machine full of dancing and fun remixes. Overall just a super fun dance set filled with good vibes from the crowd and the artist. Overall a 4/5!

Lana Del Rey’s headlining spot at Coachella 2024 was a super mellow way to end there night after all the crazy EDM and dance sets I saw that day. Her vocals when her audio equipment was working were great but her set suffered technical difficulties throughout. We did get an appearance from Billie Eilish for Video Games and Ocean Eyes duets with Lana. This part of her show was incredible and honestly the highlight from her set. Overall a 3.9/5.

Justice at Coachella 2024 was everything I hoped it would be! They had been on my list to see for a while and they did not disappoint. The set list, the remixes and the visuals were all perfect for this duo’s return. They played the classics and a bunch of unreleased music from their new album a couple weeks before it came out. This show was an amazing return for the duo and a very impressive 5/5.

Peggy Gou the South Korean DJ played a night time set at the Sahara tent where she played her club bangers with some awesome visuals and dancers. Her set was a super fun dance party filled with her signature style of EDM. This set was a great time and a solid 4/5.

This surprise set at the DoLab Stage was announced just as I was leaving for the festival. Excited, I anticipated a lively show, having enjoyed SOFI TUKKER's performances before. As usual, Sophie and Tucker delivered, energizing the crowd with their hits. The synergy between Sophie's stellar vocals and Tucker's mixing was impressive. Overall, I’d rate this set 4/5.

This was my first set of Coachella 2024 and this was a great way to start off the weekend. This band from Paris, France brought fun pop vibes to the Outdoor Theatre. They really got the crowd dancing for most of the set. Overall this was a perfect start to the weekend and complimented the rest of the day’s sets really well. I would rate this set a 3.9/5.

This was my first time seeing Olivia Rodrigo live. She had been on my list to see since she did her SOUR tour in 2021. Her opener Chappell Roan was an amazing start to the night and really brought the energy. Olivia came out shortly after playing a really good setlist full of her mega hits with an amazing production. Her fans knew all the words to the entire set and this made the energy even better. Overall I was very impressed with her show and all it had to offer. I’m very excited to see what she does next! Overall this show was a 4.5/5.